Dressing to fit the new you

Lisa met her goal of losing 100 pounds by her 40th birthday, but the struggle continues. Click through to read about losing the first 100 pounds or click on the links below to read about the new challenges.More >>

Lisa met her goal of losing 100 pounds by her 40th birthday, but the struggle continues. Click through to read about losing the first 100 pounds or click on the links below to read about the new challenges.More >>

I tried writing in this space about a month ago and got three paragraphs into it before I gave up. I just feel like I'm saying the same things over and over and not making any real changes that stick. But all I can do is try again and keep trying until I get out of this rut.More >>

These days, you probably want to file your taxes as early as possible to prevent identity thieves from filing a false return in your name — but that requires you to have the necessary forms in hand, including W-2 forms.

These days, you probably want to file your taxes as early as possible to prevent identity thieves from filing a false return in your name — but that requires you to have the necessary forms in hand, including W-2 forms.

Finally!! It looks like I may be breaking through this plateau! Granted, some of my loss this week is due to my being sick and the combination of sleeping a lot and not eating much working well for me. But, no matter what the initial spark, I'm motivated and rejuvenated and ready to keep the downward trend going!

One thing that has been really interesting to me over the past couple of months while I've been stuck around the same weight is how many compliments I've continued to get from people about how much weight I've lost.

These compliments are coming from the people I see all the time, so it's not just folks who haven't seen me since I was a lot heavier. And while I'm sure some of it is due to my continuing to exercise and toning up and redistributing the weight, I think some of it is due to something a lot more simple - and sort of tricky. I noticed that I'm actually wearing clothes that fit me... which makes me look smaller.

This may sound like the most obvious observation in the world, but it bears notice: Wearing clothes that actually fit will make you look thinner!

Believe me, I know full well the temptation to wear nice, big, baggy clothes when you're not feeling good about your body. I'm sure part of us figures "if they can't see my body, they won't notice how big I am." But the hard truth is that if your clothes are that much bigger than your body, it's almost like an optical illusion - the mind will assume your body is as big as your clothes.

I'm not saying that everyone should go out and buy tight jeans and midriff-baring tops. It's not simply that tighter is better; it's that your size is changing and you need to take a few minutes to figure out what your new size is. If you're unsure of yourself, take a friend whose opinion you trust with you to help. But, treat yourself. Be nice to yourself. And be forgiving with yourself. Do a little shopping, find something that you love that fits you well, and the fit (and your new confidence!) will make you look all that much better.

This was highlighted for me just last night at the gym. My trainer and I had switched the day of our session and, after I'd already said I could make it, I realized that I didn't have gym clothes with me. I stopped at a sports shop on the way to gym and bought something in a rush without taking the time to try it on.

When I got to the gym and changed, I realized the shirt was a lot smaller than I was really comfortable with. But, I didn't have a choice so I kept it on.

And while I kept tugging at my clothes, I also admittedly kept looking in the mirror... because to me it finally looked like I had lost some significant weight! Try it! And let me know how it works for you!

(Note: I won't be able to weigh myself on my normal day next week and won't be in the office anyway, so, I'm taking a week off and will be back writing on January 7. Have a wonderful holiday!)

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